Alice & Bob and UK’s STFC Hartree Centre Integrate Cat-Qubit Quantum Computers with SLURM
Alice and Bob has partnered with the STFC Hartree Centre to incorporate its cat-qubit quantum processors into the widely used HPC scheduling system, SLURM.
Alice and Bob, recognized globally in the fault-tolerant quantum computing race, announced the integration of its upcoming quantum processing units (QPUs) with high-performance computing (HPC) workflows via SLURM, the leading workload management system installed on 60% of the world's top supercomputers.
This integration was developed in collaboration with the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre under the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI). The software enables Alice and Bob’s cat-qubit technology to work seamlessly within existing HPC frameworks for the first time.
SLURM's Role in HPC Resource Management
SLURM (Simple Linux Utility for Resource Management) efficiently allocates computing resources and schedules jobs. It manages queues of pending tasks and determines which resources to use—CPUs, GPUs, and soon QPUs—optimizing resource allocation to maximize throughput and performance.
Alice and Bob’s cat-qubit technology now operates "seamlessly within existing HPC workflows," marking a pioneering step in integrating cat-qubit architectures into automated scheduling and execution inside standard HPC resource management systems.
Significance of the Integration
- This marks the first adaptation of cat-qubit architecture for standard HPC resource management.
- Helps bring quantum computing closer to practical application within established supercomputing environments.
- Combines cutting-edge quantum processors with trusted HPC scheduling software to enhance computational throughput.
The collaboration highlights a new milestone in merging quantum computing technologies with conventional HPC infrastructures through SLURM scheduling.
Author's Summary
This integration pioneers the seamless use of cat-qubit quantum processors within existing HPC workflows using SLURM, advancing quantum computing in mainstream supercomputing environments.